Politics

Bayelsa 2023: Diri, Sylva locked Horn In Massive Offensive For 2nd Term

Published

3 years ago

April 29, 2023

The outcome of the recently concluded 2023 general elections, undoubtedly, shows that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has a tall mountain to surmount in the predominantly riverine Bayelsa State where the ruling people’s Democratic Party, PDP swept aside its rival parties, clinching eight of the National Assembly seats (three senate and five House of representatives) and again maintained its dominance in the State House of Assembly winning 17 seats.

The election and APC’s recent primary also exposed the seeming lack of unity and cohesion in the opposition party, which could turn out to be its undoing in the November 11 governorship election unless its leaders put aside ego and personal ambition to commence genuine reconciliation of aggrieved members. As a party in Bayelsa, the APC, no doubt, revolves around Chief Timipre Sylva, the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum and one time governor of the state.

APC astoundingly lost a senatorial seat in the zone of its leader and candidate for the forthcoming governorship poll as well the Reps seat in his Southern Ijaw federal constituency homestead to its bitter rival, the ruling PDP. The senatorial zone is expected to influence the outcome of the November poll. The APC made an inroad in the state assembly winning five seats while the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, clinched two seats. Incidentally, the two seats won by APGA were based on protest votes over alleged imposition of candidates gunning for third term by the PDP.

For a party that against all odds brought to an end the nearly 20 years of PDP rule in 2019 governorship election until providence played a cruel joke on it following the verdict of the Supreme Court which sacked its governor-elect, few hours to his swearing in over alleged discrepancies in the names of his running mate, the 2023 general election was a blow to the APC in the state. Interestingly, the battle for the soul of the state is now shifted to the Creek Haven, the Bayelsa Government House. So, the question is who can dislodge the incumbent Senator Douye Diri, the man fondly referred to as a miracle Governor because of the circumstances surrounding his ascendance to power.

Already, the race is panning out as a straight one between Diri and Sylva, who are both looking for second term. While Diri is currently serving his first term, Sylva served between 2008 and 2012. The PDP and its candidate, Diri will be heading to the battlefield as a united and formidable front with a remarkable and intimidating scorecard of achievements. Diri who hails from Kolokuma/ Okpokuma Local Government Area, was a Senator, ex member of the House of Representatives, and former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state.

He was also a teacher, and former Organising Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress, a position that drew him closer to the grassroots which may have influenced his governance style and ability to relate well with all as well as providing leadership for his party which resulted in the tsunami witnessed in the just concluded general elections in the state. His supporters claim that he has the support of the people because of his developmental strides.

Today, many riverine communities which hitherto could not be reached by road are now motorable. Many believe that he remains the man to beat come November 11 given his intimidating credentials of achievements in the last three years. “We have not witnessed a situation like this in Bayelsa State where in a major election, not a single life was lost. No security threats, kudos to the incumbent government. He has also won the hearts of Bayelsans. I never believed I would ever travel by road to my ancestral homeland at Angiama in Southern Ijaw LGA in my life time because of the nearly 60 years of failed promises by successive governments at the state and national level but Diri was able to break the jinx.

“Also, our senior citizens are now getting their pension regularly as well as their gratuities on time. That’s for a fact. I get to hear different testimonies from neighbours and other citizens,” Elder Ebiye Accra stated. However, the APC candidate, Chief Sylva, the Okpoama born politician from Brass LGA could be described as the strongest among those jostling to wrestle power from the incumbent having held one of the juiciest portfolios at the federal level as a Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and as a former governor of the state.

He has the requisite war chest and connection at the federal level to actualize his ambition of returning to Creek Haven but all cannot be said to be well with his party in which some members have accused him of running the party as his private estate. They blamed the abysmal performance of the party in the state at the 2023 polls on him. The primaries that threw up the party candidates before the poll, they argued, was one-man show. Will Sylva repeat David Lyon’s 2019 feat?

Though his army of supporters believe he has the magic wand to repeat the David Lyon feat of 2019 insisting he was the unseen hand behind the APC victory at the poll having backed Lyon to emerge as candidate, findings, however, show that most of the aspirants who contested against him are unhappy with the conduct of the election and the result declared. There is also the fear that some of those who lost the party primary to Sylva may work against the party.

In order to brighten APC’s chances, watchers of political events in the state are of the opinion that the APC national leadership must reconcile the aggrieved aspirants and others who have since turned their backs against the party. Eradiri, Osuluka, Subiri, others eye seat Also in the race is Engr Udens Eradiri of the Labour Party, LP. The former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide and former Commissioner for Youths and later Environment under the Seriake Dickson administration is one of the youngest candidates jostling to occupy the Creek Haven.

The Agudama-Ekpetiama-born youth activist turned politician will be banking on the youths to actualise his dream having served as a youth leader at both the central (Bayelsa) and national level of the Ijaw nation. Waibodei Subiri of the All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, is said to be a former teacher and surveyor. He promised to focus on youth empowerment, noting that the only way to achieve a better state is to get a greater percentage of youths involved in governance. For Binalayefa Joshua Osuluku, a legal practitioner and candidate of the Social Democratic Party,SDP, promised to work for the victory of his party by unseating the PDP in the governorship election and bring about a paradigm shift in the governance of the state.
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Related Topics:Bayelsa Douye Dieu Timipre Sylva

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Politics

APC Members In Ikole LG Condemn Attacks On Members During Reps Primary

Published

2 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Editor

….Seek safer venues for remaining primaries

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State have strongly condemned the violence, intimidation and attacks that characterised the House of Representatives Primary Election held in Ward 11, Ipao-Ekiti.

The APC members lamented that the exercise, which ought to have reflected the democratic ideals of the party, was unfortunately marred by violent attacks carried out by political thugs against party faithful perceived to be supporting a different aspirant from the one backed by the attackers.

Among those attacked were Hon. Samuel Adetiba and Mr. Ore Bamidele, the latter, who was beaten into a coma and is presently in critical condition at a private hospital in the locality where he is receiving medical attention.

Beyond the physical attacks on members, cmpaign banners belonging to the aspirant opposed by the attackers were also vandalised and destroyed during the incident.

The APC members expressed disappointment that the incident was orchestrated by one of the chairmanship candidates for the Among Local Community Development Authority (LCDA), in the presence of the APC leader in the Ekamefa area, Hon. Samuel Abejide, who did nothing to stop the attacks of the party faithful.

In addition to the physical assaults, properties belonging to APC members in Ipao-Ekiti were reportedly damaged, while elderly men and women from Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti were allegedly molested, threatened and forcefully removed from voting queues simply for supporting aspirants of their choices.

Olaiya Ajibulu, who spoke on behalf of the affected party members expressed deep concern over what they described as a growing atmosphere of fear and political intolerance capable of undermining unity within the party and threatening the safety of members participating in future exercises.

Consequently, Ajibulu said that the affected APC members from the three communities appealed passionately to the leadership of the party in Ekiti State, as well as His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, to urgently intervene in the matter.

They also requested that subsequent APC primary elections involving the three communities be moved away from Ipao-Ekiti to a neutral and safer venue where the lives and rights of party members could be adequately protected.

“Alternatively, we appeal that Òkè-Àkò Ekiti, Irele-Ekiti and Ijowa-Ekiti should be allowed to conduct their remaining primary elections at a separate venue where members can freely exercise their democratic rights without intimidation, harassment, or fear of violence.” Ajibulu reiterated.

The affected members also sympathised with all victims of the attacks and prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving medical attention, particularly Mr. Ore Bamidele.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of democracy, peaceful coexistence and party unity, while urging all stakeholders to ensure that future political exercises are conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and mutual respect.

News

Logistics Challenges Mars APC Reps Primaries In Abia

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The House of Representatives primary elections of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Abia State has been rocked by logistics challenges and reports of intense lobbying.

The exercise, scheduled to commence on Saturday morning, is yet to start in any part of the state as at 3:00 pm.

A visit by DAILY POST to several wards where the primary elections were supposed to hold in Umuahia showed that no party official was on duty.

At Amuzukwu Secondary School, Umuwaya Amuzukwu, Methodist Primary School at Crowther Street, Umuahia North Local Government Headquarters, no official of the APC or the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, staff was seen.

Two female police officers who were deployed to provide security in Umuwaya Amuzukwu were left in confusion as they could not meet any APC official at the centre.

Source disclosed that some of the aspirants in various constituencies in Abia State refused the offer to step down before the primares, insisting that they be allowed to test their popularity in the exercise.

Meanwhile, two leaders of the City Boys Movement in Abia State, Chinedu Orji and Lucky Igbokwe, who are aspiring for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, have issued statements maintaining that they are firmly in the race.

Explaining the delay in the commencement of the APC primary election, Publicity Secretary of Abia State APC, Uche Aguoru, attributed the situation to logistics challenges.

Aguoru invited all House of Representatives aspirants and other party stakeholders to an “emergency mandatory meeting” to be held at APC new office by Saturday evening.

Politics

2027: Court Rebukes Plaintiff, Lawyer In Suit Against Jonathan, Awards N1m Fine

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2026

Editor

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday rebuked Johnmary Jideobi, the plaintiff, and his lawyer, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over lack of diligence to pursue the suit filed to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contensting in the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Peter Lifu, who described the plaintiff and his lawyer’s attitudes, which had continued to stall proceedings in the case, as “unacceptable,” awarded a N1 million fine against the plaintiff in favour of the ex-president.

“I have carefully and painstakingly considered all the submissions and prayers of the learners counsel in this matter.

“As this court has earlier ruled and ordered, this case has a character of politics.

“I have taken judicial notice of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s timetable.

“The duty of this court is to ensure that political cases are given accelerated hearing and disposed of expeditiously.

“In that wise, and as earlier stated, this court reiterates the provisions of the National Judicial Policy in case management.

“I hereby orders as follows:

“The plaintiff, who filed this suit in October 6, 2025, and has not deemed it fit to serve, is hereby granted grace of two hours from now, that is 10:30 am, to serve all the processes to the 2nd and 3rd defendants (INEC and AGF) unfailingly.

“The 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby ordered to file and serve their responses, if any, before 11am on Monday, 18th of May, 2026.

“By consent of counsel, this suit is adjourned to May 18th, 2026, by 12noon for definite hearing of the originating summons and all pending applications,” Justice Lifu said.

The judge, who observed that Jideobi filed the suit since Oct. 6, 2025, expressed surprise that he had yet to serve INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the 2nd and 3rd defendants, six months after.

Besides, he observed that counsel for the ex-president (1st defendant), Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court on May 8 when the case came up that they got the information about the suit in the media and decided to file and serve their processes.

The judge equally observed that on May 11, neither Jideobi, who is also a lawyer, nor Ukpai was in court despite fixing the hearing time at 2pm at the instance of the plaintiff’s lawyer on May 5.

He further noted that though Uche asked for a N5 million cost, the request was not granted in the interest of fair hearing.

“No doubt, cause follows event.

“On May 11 , this court refused to grant the 1st defendant’s application for a cost of N5 million but rather, make cost in this cause.

“Today, it is crystal clear that the plaintiff did not serve the originating summons to the 2nd and 3rd defendants since October 6, 2025.

“This case is for hearing today and the hearing has been frustrated or aborted due to the tardiness of the plaintiff who is a lawyer by training and calling.

“Hearing cannot go on now as an event.

“Consequently, I hold that punishment should lie where the fault is.

“I hereby award the cost of N1 million against the plaintiff but in favour of the 1st defendant only. I so ruled,” Justice Lifu said.

Earlier when the case was called on Friday, neither Jideobi nor Ukpai was not in court again.

However, lawyer to the former president, Uche, and AGF’s counsel, J. D. Esho, were in court.

Justice Lifu then asked the registrar to confirm from the court record if the plaintiff and INEC were served with hearing notices which she did.

The former president’s lawyer, therefore, applied that the case be dismissed with substantial cost due to the plaintiff’s continued absence in court.

Uche said the plaintiff and his lawyer did not see the reason to either write to the court or the defendants on why they would not be in court.

The senior lawyer said Jideobi and Ukpai, in their manner, had portrayed absolute disdain and disrespect to the court.

He expressed surprise that the plaintiff, who initiated the suit, dragged a former Commnder-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country to court for nothing and abandoned the case.

Uche said despite getting the news about the case in the media, the former president filed all his processses, including a preliminary objection, and served same on the plaintiff.

“The plaintiff thinks he can hold the court and other parties to ransom, and stayback in the comfort of his house and drag all of us to court,” he said.

According to him, there must be a consequence for every action.

“They think the courts are toothless bulldog and the dignity of the court must be protected my lord,” he said.

Uche, therefore, urged the court to invoke its disciplinary power on the plaintiff and dismiss the case as being an abuse of court process.

AGF’s lawyer, Esho, who told the court that her office was served with the ex-president’s response to the suit on May 11, said they were yet to be served with the originating summons of the plaintiff.

The registrar also confirmed that though INEC was served with hearing notice of today’s sitting, the commission had not also been served with the plaintiff’s processes.

Midway into the case, Ukpai entered the court and apologised for his lateness.

“My lord, I am sorry. I am for the plaintiff. Our vehicle broke down on the way,” he begged.

After taking submissions of all the lawyers, the judge adjourned the matter until May 18 for definite hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit at 12noon.